Floods of relief washed into the white half of North London as Tottenham escaped their wave of bad form to sail past Swansea. Two first half goals from Messrs SuperJan and Gaz settled the affair although the Swans did pull one back through Michu midway through the second half. As always, Spurs never made it easy; but we have eliminated the losing streak.
Brad Friedel – 7 – OMG WHERE IS HUGO LLORIS WHAT IS THIS GUY DOING IN GOAL OMG HELP WE’RE GOING TO LOSE!!! Erm, excuse me, this guy was in goal for the whole of last season when we came 4th, we also won at Old Trafford with him in goal….anyway, onto what he actually did. He was solid. Couldn’t do anything for the goal. Needs to learn how to control his penalty area, although how can we teach an old dog new tricks…
Kyle Walker – 6 – One of those players where whenever the opposition get one-on-one with him, I break into fierce and uncontrollable sweats. He gets a 6 because we won; but the right back channel is soooooo precarious when he’s there. I’d like to see Kaboom put there when he eventually returns from injury.
Michael Dawson – 7 – Dominant, although perhaps could have done more the Michu header. Other than that, didn’t miss a header. A great captain’s performance again from fan favourite Daws.
Jan Vertonghen – 9 – I love this man so much! Another truly inspiring display, one of the only centre backs in the world who can make an attacking run forward, keep going and actually score. In the first 15 minutes of the game. And a super assist for the Bale goal, drilling a great pass into his feet. Also, a good defensive display as ever, keeping track of Kyle ‘Walker Jr.’ Naughton.
Kyle Naughton – 6 – Not bad, but he needs to learn how to stop crosses coming into the penalty area. When he manages that, he will be a very good full-back, but for now, he’s a bit of a liability.
Scott Parker – 7 – A much improved display from Scotty, really getting stuck in and enjoying the challenge of stopping Swansea play. The Welsh side play the type of football that suits Parker’s defensive abilities, able to break up their fluent passing football.
Mousa Dembele – 7 – Yet another solid display from the consistent Belgian, defending accomplishedly and keeping the ball moving on attacks. Unlucky not to have an assist after setting up Defoe in the second half.
Aaron Lennon – 7 – Gives the side so much more balance and attacking potential. A constant outlet and someone for Walker to pass to rather than lose the ball (although he did manage that occasionally too). Needs to get his match fitness back but it’s clear that once he gets on form, our team will be so much better for it.
Gareth Bale – 9 – A true superstar display from Bale, proving he can defend as well as attack. An exquisitely taken goal, with sensational control and a cultured finish; but the block from Dyer in the second half was arguably more important, for an attacking midfielder to get back and defend like that for the team shows the effort and willpower this man has.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – 6 – A quiet display against his former club, although he did test Michel Vorm out with a curling effort in the second half. Defended decently again as well.
Emmanuel Adebayor – 6 – Granted, he is absolutely hopeless in front of goal, but he does give us a target man, and he does hold the ball up. Compare that with when Defoe was on; we were just being pummelled and pummelled by Swansea attacks, because we weren’t retaining possession from clearances. Ade can do that.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Jermain Defoe – 5 – Needs a goal so badly! Also needs to grow about a foot. Not the best display, but the effort was visible.
Lewis Holtby – 6 – Decent at keeping the ball in the corner, not time to influence the game attacking-wise. His chance will probably come next season rather than this.